Link turned slowly to face the figure that stood beside him. The young man was exactly how he had been in Link's vision. He looked link a mirror image of Link except his hair was black as night, his eyes were a burning crimson, and his skin was as cold and pale as death.

At first the stranger made no move, he stared down at the body of Ganondorf, contempt and hatred blazing in his eyes. Slowly, though, he raised his gaze to Link and fixed those burning eyes on him. Link felt a chill run down his spine as those eyes fell on him. They were so much like Midna's eyes, but completely different. They held a challenge and anger that Midna never reached; no matter how much she hated Zant and Ganondorf. It was those eyes that enticed Link. He felt the calling and the yearning that he had for the Fused Shadows as he looked at the stranger, his mind whispering, "Void."

"So we finally meet, Hero Chosen by the Goddesses," Void's voice sent a chill down Link's spine as he advanced on the hero. He was unarmed, but there was a hunger in his eyes that made Link's skin tingle with anticipation.

Void moved until he stood directly in front of Link and gazed into his eyes. He could feel the yearning from his soul as it tugged him closer to Link. The hunger in his eyes was fierce and bright, but his expression softened ever so much as when he stood this close. When he looked upon Link it struck him just how different this Link was from the others. This Link worked not to stop Ganondorf because he was a small child thrust into the devastated world as an adult and did as he was told out of confusion and fear, but he acted on his own with his own initiatives because there was goal he had to reach. This was something Void found himself liking. This Link wasn't quite the pure and noble hero the others were written off to have been, he was tainted and felt the temptation of the darkness. This fed void's fire and made something in him, which had been stirred by Sheik, awaken.

Zelda took a step forwards. She held her bow tightly as though she were afraid she'd have to use it. She watched the two just stare at each other, the hunger blazing in Void's eyes, but something similar also burned in Link's blue eyes. She glanced past them at the rubble in the courtyard of the Castle and gasped, "Midna!"

Link was wrenched from staring at Void to spin and see the figure huddled on the ground among the debris. He turned and ran towards her, heart racing. He skidded to a stop though when he got close and saw her. She was sitting with her head bowed, stood slowly up and turned to face him.

Midna's red eyes danced with laughter as she said, "What? Are I so beautiful you have no words?"

Midna was beautiful indeed. She was elfin face with slanting black eyebrows. She wore long black robes with the hood drawn up over her long orange hair. She laughed as Link gawked. She was completely different from the little imp he'd traveled with for so long, but she was definitely the same Midna. She reached out a slender hand in greeting to Zelda who walked slowly over to them.

Void hung back, taking in the Twilight Princess. She was all Sheik had told him about her and understood now why the Sheikah warrior had fallen for her. He did not approach, tough. He had nothing to do with this and made to turn away. He'd found Link and could always hunt him down later. For now he had gained his freedom from his prison as well as from Ganondorf's reign, but he felt no freer than before. His feet carried him only a few paced before a voice called after him.

"Void," the voice carried after him, making him stop midstride. He heard Midna's gentle voice as she said he chosen name. He turned silently to look at her. Her red eyes met his and he felt something along the lines of kinship towards her.

He didn't say anything in response, but he held her gaze, vaguely wondering where the Twili had come from.

Once long ago, after Void had been born from the darkness and the first link was long dead, Void ran wild. He killed, raped, and took what he wanted without reason. There was no love in his heart, but in a moment of weakness, he let a handful of his victims live. He stalked and hunted from the shadows, reigning over the people of a young Hyrule with fear. He had a number of descendants who joined together, using the darkness and sorcery to find the Fused Shadows. Of course he'd been at the lead and when the Spirits of Light had been summoned by the goddesses, he vanished into the darkness. His kin were banished to the Twilight Realm and he wasn't seen again until the next Hero rose up. Void wondered vaguely if Midna was a descendant from his line. It didn't matter though. The Twilight Realm was a place he knew he would never return.

Void waited for Midna to continue and wasn't surprised as she said, "You could come back to the Twilight Realm with me? I sensed you there when we went to face Zant."

Void shook his head; the Twilight Realm wasn't for him. It was for his descendants and a lone Sheikah warrior, but not him. He didn't even know why she suggested it. It was clear in looking at him that he had countless people's blood on his hands.

Void stared at Midna for a moment before he looked at Zelda and then at Link. The hunger burned in his eyes when he turned his gaze to Link, but he forced himself to look at Zelda. Zelda knew he'd killed people in his time, but she didn't know how many it had been or how long it had been. Her ancestors had lived in terror of him, depending on the ancestors of Link to protect them from the shadowed killer. Now he stood with his fate to be decided. He could just walk away and never look back, or he could stay and accept whatever fate they handed him. Link didn't know who he was, but he was sure of Hero could feel the same yearning that he did.

Void grew impatient with himself and turned on his heel. He took off, his feet silent across the ground and the sound of Zelda's voice calling after him across the plains. He vanished into the darkness and pouring rain.

The hot desert sun burned down on the three companions who stood before the Mirror of Twilight. Beneath the hot, bright sun Midna stood a short distance from Link with Zelda. Her hands were clasped between the Hylian's. Her red eyes were sad, but her voice was firm as the two of them spoke quietly. Regret filled her every word, but this was how it had to be. Zelda nodded slowly and glanced over at Link.

Midna walked slowly away from Zelda and over to Link. She placed her hand lightly on his cheek and whispered, "Thank you for everything Link, I'm happy to have met you."

Her words were a farewell. Link knew this, but he hoped, wished it wasn't for good. He cupped her face in his hands and brushed his lips against hers without a word. It was his way of saying good-bye. He felt his heart breaking as he took a step back from him and smiled sadly. Link forced a smile in return.

Midna walked slowly up to the Mirror of Twilight and stopped beside it. She closed her eyes with her back to Link and Zelda, she couldn't let them see how it broke her heart to do this. Forcing a smile she turned back to look at them as she bounded gracefully up the transparent steps to the portal where it was already open. The tears burned in her eyes and she raised a hand to brush them away. She moved her hand away and watched the tear glint in the light as it floated to the Mirror. She watched Link and Zelda as the tear hit the Mirror and shattered it. Link leaped forwards, a cry of shock and dismay escape him. Zelda closed her eyes tightly for a moment, but when she raised her gaze to see Midna one last time, her face was expressionless.

Midna smiled as she vanished into the portal, her own words echoing in her ears. "The two worlds cannot be allowed to intersect again. In fact they can't be allowed to touch again. This will be good-bye. Forever. Just never let it be forgotten that another world exists alongside yours."

Zelda had nodded, promising, but asked, "Are you sure this is what you want?" her voice was taught with emotion, but she refused to shed tears.

"No," Midna had admitted. "But this is how it has to be."

Now she vanished into particles of Twilight as the portal closed permanently. The worlds would never touch again, though they still existed alongside each other

Materializing on the other side of the portal, Midna stood for a moment. She kept her eyes shut, fighting down the tears that threatened to spill over. She cool feel the familiar air of the Twilight, but was honestly afraid to open her eyes and see what was before her.

"Midna?" A quiet voice reached her ears and she smiled slightly, the tears burning her eyes.

"Sheik?" She asked, opening her eyes. The tears streaked her cheeks when she saw him. He looked as he always had. He was clad in his blue garb as always. His golden hair fell in his red eyes and his tan skin seemed to glow in the golden light from the sun.

Sheik climbed up the steps to greet Midna, but she ran down to him and threw herself into his arms. He held her close and rested his cheek against the top of her head, letting sob. She Midna clung to his shirt, shaking with the sobs. She had no idea of where start and how to tell him what had happened.

"I missed you so much," Midna sobbed. She pressed her forehead against his shoulder. The grief of destroying the portal and parting ways with Link and Zelda broke her heart.

Sheik soothed her sobs. He ran his hand lightly up and down her back, murmuring to her. "I missed you, too," he breathed. He remained calm and composed, though his heart soared at having her back. He wondered, though, if she'd crossed paths with Void. She'd been with Link and Void was out for blood, but in the days they'd been together he'd seen a change in the Shadow. Something had stirred and he wondered what would come of it.

Midna pulled back from Sheik, wiping her eyes furiously. She smiled up at him and laughed unsurely at her display. Sheik smiled beneath his cowl, the corners of his eyes crinkling up to show his amusement. He placed his arm around her waist and led her down towards the Castle. Midna rested her head on his shoulder and began telling him about what had happened.

Void sat deep in Faron Wood. He sharpened the wicked blade he'd taken off of Ganondorf's body and claimed as his own. The dagger was longer than most, but wasn't long enough to be considered a short sword. He examined the blade under the moonlight. The forest was dark, but the moon shed white light on the spring, giving it an ethereal shimmer.

'How ironic,' Void thought. He gazed down at the water just below the tree he rested against. He'd run from Zelda, Link, and Midna, but Midna had sought him out the night before she departed for the Twilight Realm. She'd given him the stone that turned Link back into his beast form and spoken to him at length. She learned of his encounter with Sheik and they spoke of him coming to the Twilight Realm, but, again, he declined. He would remain behind.

A sound in the forest caught Void's attention. In the moonlight, he could just make out the shape of something moving in the direction of Ordon Village. He rose silently, holding the long dagger in his hand. He moved silently closer and bared his teeth in disgust at what he saw. Three bulblins were moving in the direction of the village, clubs drawn and at the ready. He guessed that they were planning on just a simple raid. Honestly, he didn't care what they were up to, he hadn't had a good fight in days and his temper was foul.

Void stalked towards the bulblins and circled around behind them. He crept up on the third Bulblin that was trailing behind and leaped. He slashed the blade down on its back and drove it in deep, drawing blood. The beast howled in pain and swung around to attack him. He dodged the club and spun, slicing at the creature's throat. The skirmish with Bulblin was short, but Void's heart thundered with the excitement of battle.

The other two ganged up on Void, bellowing and swinging their clubs. He dodged the first club, ducking below it and lunging at the bulblin's throat. His blade sliced across the side of its neck. He twisted out of the way of its club again, but the club of the second came down hard on his shoulder. With a cry, he staggered to the side. He leaped and swung at the second, twisting to avoid the first and slashed his blade in a wide arch, cutting into the flesh of both. He leaped and ducked, lunging when he could, but the bulblins got in more and more attacks.

Void stumbled to the side. He snarled in frustration and fear. The wounds he'd been dealt slowed him down painfully. The bulblins had managed to crack several of his ribs and great bruises were already blossoming across his pale skin. In desperation, he dove forwards and drove his blade into the throat of one of the bulblins. Blood sprayed across his face as he pulled away. He turned to face the remaining bulblin and, baring his teeth, stabbed the blade into its chest. He jump back allowing the beast to fall to the ground before he turned and fled into the darkness.

Void's cracked ribs made it painful to breath and the bruises slowed him immensely. He staggered down the path, away from Faron Spring, and stumbled blindly along. He narrowed his eyes as he came to a swinging rope bridge. He forced himself to keep moving and staggered onto and across the bridge.

Void was drawn by something, perhaps it was the sound of flowing water or the pale glow of light from the spring, but he staggered into the clearing and collapsed at the edge of Ordon Spring.

Link walked through Faron Wood, guiding Epona. With him walked Rusl, Telma, and Renado. Telma's horse plodded along beside Epona, a cart rattled behind it. The children sat in the cart talking; they were finally going home after the weeks they'd spent in Kakariko Village since their kidnapping. Link listened quietly to the chatter of the children and the more somber conversation of the adults. He didn't contribute anything as he was lost in thought. Something pulled him up short though. Three dead bulblins lay in the road ahead of them. Rusl called the caravan up short and, with Link, hurried to check what had happened.

Link and Rusl crouched beside the bulblins. They'd been dead since the night before, Rusl judged.

"I don't like it," Rusl muttered, standing up. He said louder so the others could hear. "Keep your eyes open."

Link led the way, his sword drawn. He'd returned the Master Sword to its resting spot and wielded the sword from Ordon once more. The group made it to the rope bridge without sign of who killed the bulblins, but Link felt anticipation ripple across his skin as he set foot on the bridge. Whoever had killed the bulblins was close.

The group crossed the bridge above the dizzying drop and was passing Ordon Spring when Ilia let out a cry. She jumped from the back of the wagon and to the water's edge.

"Ilia!" Rusl called, following her.

Ilia stood over the still form Link had become accustomed to haunting his dreams. He ran to Ilia's side and rolled the body over. Void lay wounded at the edge of the spring; his chest barely rose and fell with each rasping breath. His black hair was matted with dried blood and bruises crossed his flesh.